Cybershooters

Carrot Cruncher · Joined: 17 Sep 2006 Posts: 751

There were two police strikes. The 1918 one was confined to the Met, and the Lloyd George government gave in rapidly. It was mainly about pay. The 1919 one was more widespread, and was particularly tough in Liverpool, where half the force came out. This one was more about disciplinary conditions. There had been a Police Bill in 1913 which addressed many of the concerns, but it didn't get to the statute book before the War put it on hold. Come August 1919 and with the scuffers out Liverpool went into riot mode and the Army were called in. What you might find interesting is that the last person on mainland GB to be lawfully shot dead by a member of the armed forces was a Liverpool looter. The strikers were given an ultimatum; some went back, those that didn't were dismissed wholesale. You could still come across some of the old boys right up to the '60's carrying their NUPPO (National Union of Police and Prison Officers) cards ! So to an extent it was "crushed", but the general fear of insurrection at that time led the government to address the police rank and file concerns, and the Desborough Committee was formed, which led to wholesale reforms, including formation of the Federation.

Rob · Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 700 Location: Cheshire

Carrot Cruncher · Joined: 17 Sep 2006 Posts: 751

Quite so, Rob. But the connection is, in point of fact, a tad deeper. Sir Ernley Blackwell (of THE report) was very heavily involved in the 1918 Met strike. EB was Deputy Under-Secretary Home Office at the time of the strike, and had to stand in at a crucial time for the Permanent Secretary, which had a terrific effect on him (EB). In the modern argot we'd say he was "traumatised". It was very shortly after this negative experience that he was appointed to chair the Control of Firearms Committee.